Education

2007  B.S., Industrial Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (Magna Cum Laude)

2007  B.S., Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (Magna Cum Laude)

Research Interests

I have a double degree in Industrial Biotechnology and Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico. My research interests have been always focused on Environmental Microbiology, specifically in the areas of microbial ecology and bioremediation. As an undergraduate student, I performed research at Harvard Medical School, the DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Currently, I'm a third  year Graduate Student at GaTech’s School of Biology.  My thesis project focuses on the design of molecular tools for improved detection of dechlorinating bacteria in environmental samples.  To accomplish this goal, I established chemostat cultures and I’m using microarrays to identify process-specific biomarker genes and study the dynamics target populations. I'm also participating in Georgia Tech’s NSF-IGERT Signals in the Sea Program were I can fulfill my other interests in Aquatic Chemical Ecology, Marine Biology and Microbial Oceanography.

Current Project(s)

Chemostat cultures

Identification of reductive dehalogenation biomarkers using microarray technology

Publications

Padilla E. and F.E. Löffler. 2002. Análisis molecular de un cultivo microbiologico declorador de cloruro de vinilo. Revista Latinoamericana de Microbiología. Vol 44, num 1.